BACKGROUND: The endogenous opioid system has been linked to alcohol dependence through animal and human studies. We investigated the relationship between alcohol craving and brain mu opioid receptors (mu-OR) in alcohol-dependent subjects. METHODS: Regional brain mu-OR binding potential (BP) was measured using [(11)C]carfentanil positron emission tomography in eight male alcohol-dependent subjects undergoing alcohol withdrawal and eight matched control subjects. Self-reported alcohol craving, withdrawal, and mood were measured. RESULTS: Lower mu-OR BP was associated with higher craving in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, the right anterior frontal cortex, and right parietal cortex. In these regions, alcoholics showed lower mean mu-OR BP compared with control subjects. Mu-OR BP in four other brain regions also correlated with craving, but there were no group differences in receptor binding potential. Mu-OR BP also correlated with depressive symptoms in five brain regions, three of which were identified in the craving analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Results show a strong functional relationship between alcohol craving, mood, and mu-OR binding in specific brain regions of recently abstinent, alcohol-dependent men.
BACKGROUND: The endogenous opioid system has been linked to alcohol dependence through animal and human studies. We investigated the relationship between alcohol craving and brain mu opioid receptors (mu-OR) in alcohol-dependent subjects. METHODS: Regional brain mu-OR binding potential (BP) was measured using [(11)C]carfentanil positron emission tomography in eight male alcohol-dependent subjects undergoing alcohol withdrawal and eight matched control subjects. Self-reported alcohol craving, withdrawal, and mood were measured. RESULTS: Lower mu-OR BP was associated with higher craving in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, the right anterior frontal cortex, and right parietal cortex. In these regions, alcoholics showed lower mean mu-OR BP compared with control subjects. Mu-OR BP in four other brain regions also correlated with craving, but there were no group differences in receptor binding potential. Mu-OR BP also correlated with depressive symptoms in five brain regions, three of which were identified in the craving analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Results show a strong functional relationship between alcohol craving, mood, and mu-OR binding in specific brain regions of recently abstinent, alcohol-dependent men.
Authors: Stephanie S O'Malley; Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin; Sherry A McKee; Robert F Leeman; Ned L Cooney; Boris Meandzija; Ran Wu; Robert W Makuch Journal: Int J Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2008-09-17 Impact factor: 5.176
Authors: Elise M Weerts; Gary S Wand; Hiroto Kuwabara; Cynthia A Munro; Robert F Dannals; John Hilton; J James Frost; Mary E McCaul Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2011-06-20 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Riju Ray; Kosha Ruparel; Andrew Newberg; E Paul Wileyto; James W Loughead; Chaitanya Divgi; Julie A Blendy; Jean Logan; Jon-Kar Zubieta; Caryn Lerman Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2011-05-16 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: James C Garbutt; Michael Osborne; Robert Gallop; John Barkenbus; Kathy Grace; Meghan Cody; Barbara Flannery; Alexey B Kampov-Polevoy Journal: Alcohol Alcohol Date: 2009-02-03 Impact factor: 2.826